Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
We inform. You decide.
Tuesday, July 08, 2025

By Max Chesnes During presidential elections, John Davis, 67, usually supports the Democratic candidate. But after years of frustration with the Clinton family, Davis is jumping from blue to red. Exhausted from years of scandal, Davis said he decided to vote for Donald Trump after Hillary Clinton was named the Democratic nominee. His decision was made with the nation’s future at the forefront of his mind, he said. For the past 16 years, Davis has lived in Gainesville with his jet-black cat, Mr. Sampson. Five Trump-Pence signs stand in his yard, with another reading “Never Stop Me From Rattling Cages with the Truth” — one of two signs he made himself out of cardboard. With tears in his eyes, Davis said he’s upset with the nation for allowing Clinton to gain traction despite her scandals. Because Davis is blind in one eye, a friend writes Davis’ thoughts about his dissatisfaction with politics on scraps of notebook paper every day. “There are nicer guys,” he said of Trump, with Ben Carson and Paul Ryan having been his first choices. “I myself want to be proud to be an American again.” In the days leading up to the election, Davis said he has found it hard to sleep. He said the fears of a corrupt commander in chief riddle his mind. “I’m worried about what will happen on Election Day,” he said, “but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Related

On May 21, the Florida Gators visited the White House, marking the third time the team has made the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The team was invited after becoming the NCAA basketball champions, something the president and Gators fans across the nation were eager to celebrate.

A look back at the Gators' visit to the White House

On May 21, the Florida Gators visited the White House, marking the third time the team has made the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The team was invited after becoming the NCAA basketball champions, something the president and Gators fans across the nation were eager to celebrate.


Beer, firecrackers and chants of “it’s great to be a Florida Gator” were flung in the air as the Gators won the national championship, quickly prompting spectators to jump out of their chairs and over the fence onto Second Avenue. 

Gators win national championship

Beer, firecrackers and chants of “it’s great to be a Florida Gator” were flung in the air as the Gators won the national championship, quickly prompting spectators to jump out of their chairs and over the fence onto Second Avenue. 


When UF’s Final Four matchup against the Auburn Tigers ended in triumph, Gainesville roared. Students stormed the streets. Bar floors shook. Fireworks exploded. The Gators had just advanced to their first National Championship since 2007. Take a look at how the city celebrated.

Final Four: How Gainesville celebrated its victory

When UF’s Final Four matchup against the Auburn Tigers ended in triumph, Gainesville roared. Students stormed the streets. Bar floors shook. Fireworks exploded. The Gators had just advanced to their first National Championship since 2007. Take a look at how the city celebrated.


Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2025 The Independent Florida Alligator and Campus Communications, Inc.